Fire in Novato Damages Home, Downs Power Lines [UPDATED]

NOVATO, CA — A two-alarm vegetation fire that broke out Tuesday evening in Novato, damaging a home and power lines, was allegedly caused by a 14-year-old boy who was playing with matches, a fire spokeswoman said.

The incident was reported just after 6 p.m. off of Oliva Drive, according to Novato Fire District Spokeswoman Sandy Wargo.

"It was admitted [by the boy] and it was accidental, but we do call that a 'youth firesetter,'" Wargo told Patch.
"Unfortunately, it did rush up the hill and get the back side of a house."

The youth was cited and referred to the Novato Fire District's Youth Firesetter Intervention Program.

Wargo added that the fire burned power lines, contrary to some reports that the blaze was sparked by power lines.

The fire generated columns of smoke widely seen by evening commuters, generating an abundance of local concern.

As of 7:20 p.m., the wildfire and 75 percent contained and by 10:45 p.m., it was 100 percent contained, according to fire officials. The fire was also more accurately mapped at two and quarter acres.

Oliva Drive was closed to through traffic as crews fought the blaze.

PG&E's website showed that at least three customers were without power near the site of the fire.

Wargo said no evacuations were in place, but because Oliva Drive was closed, some residents did had to park their vehicles elsewhere.

Novato fire Chief Mark Heine gave a situational update in a video posted to Twitter. Here is what he said:

" ... When our firefighters arrived we had four to five acres of grass, brush and trees burning at a rapid rate of spread, burning up a steep hill behind these homes. The fire initially threatened many homes in this neighborhood. The fire has currently burned four to five acres of vegetation and has significantly damaged one home. The fire is 75 percent contained at this point. It is not growing any bigger at this time. Firefighting resources will be at this fire overnight tonight to ensure that it gets fully contained and controlled tonight."

It was the second vegetation fire in Novato in as many days. On Monday, a fire of similar size broke out on a hill off Sunset Parkway and Cambridge Drive. That fire, dubbed the Cambridge Fire, was 100 percent contained as of Tuesday afternoon. No homes were damaged in the Cambridge Fire, but a firefighter suffered first- and second-degree burns to her legs.

In Petaluma Tuesday, several structures were reportedly burned by fire. The flames prompted the California Highway Patrol to shut down northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 101.

Refresh the page for updates as more information is gathered.

— Bay City News Service contributed to this report.

Photo: A Novato Patch reader shot the above image at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday from the intersection of Simmons Lane and Novato Boulevard — about one mile from the fire.